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Budget 2018 ‘major disappointment for people with disabilities and their families’ – Ó Caoláin

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Disabilities and Older People,
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin T.D. has said that Budget 2018, announced today by
Government, has failed to provide for the most vulnerable of citizens.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said that the Independent Alliance should
not support the Government over their blatant disregard for people with
disabilities.

The Cavan Monaghan TD said:

“This budget lacks any specific new measures to address the
particular challenges that people with disabilities face on a daily basis. It
must be a disappointment to the 640,000 people with disabilities and their
carers and loved ones. It represents a failure by this Government to face up to
their responsibilities to those of our citizens least able to support
themselves.

“Government announced a €5 increase in social welfare
payments, including for those in receipt of disability allowance. This will not
come into effect until March. There is absolutely no reason why people
depending on social welfare should be forced to wait six months, until March
2018, for this additional relief.

“There is no commitment in Budget 2018 to increase personal
assistance hours or to increase respite care services. No funding has been made
available for neuro rehab teams and transitional services. No mention of any
new employment supports for people with disabilities. No commitment to invest
in our transport infrastructure to ensure that people with a disability can
travel at greater ease. No commitment to increase funding for housing
adaptation grants overseen by local authorities.

“Reports over recent days suggested that the Minister
of State with responsibility for Disability Issues, Finian McGrath TD, was
threatening to vacate his position in protest at the Government’s failure to
properly reflect the needs of people with disabilities in the budget. This
beggars the question – ‘what did he get to stay in place and was there even
less provided for people with disabilities up to the time of his protest?’

“It is time for Minister of State McGrath to
stop codding himself. This is yet another failed opportunity for people with
disabilities and the best thing he could now do is do as he has reportedly threatened.
I urge Minister of State McGrath to pull out of this charade and to take his
Independent Alliance colleagues with him. This Fine Gael – Fianna Fáil
Government arrangement merits only disdain. It is time for the Varadkar-Martin
partnership to end.”